Power Of The Smile digs in late to win the EVD 870 Stakes at Evangeline Downs on December 20. © Hodges Photography

© Hodges Photography

By StallioneSearch

OPELOUSAS, LA–DECEMBER 20, 2025–Power Of The Smile dug in gamely through the final strides to capture the $35,000 EVD 870 Stakes on Saturday, December 20, at Evangeline Downs, to earn the $21,000 winner’s share of the purse.

Breaking from post four under Pedro Espinosa and racing into a stiff 13 mph headwind, Power Of The Smile tracked the early leaders before moving up on the turn and engaging Explosive Legend in a duel to the finish. The gray gelding prevailed by a head at the wire while completing the 870-yard distance in 46.685 seconds, earning an 86 speed index. Explosive Legend finished second, with One Fast Cajun another neck back in third.

Bred, owned, and trained by Jumonville Farms, Power Of The Smile is a gelding by Thoroughbred sire Power Jam and out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Beyond The Smile, a two-time winner and graded stakes finalist. Foaled February 11, 2021, in Louisiana, he improved his career record to 18-6-4-4 with earnings now totaling $122,345 following the victory.

Explosive Legend, a colt by All American Futurity (G1) winner Mr Piloto out of the Tres Seis mare Legendary Seis, finished a hard-fought second. Owned and trained by David Bustamante and ridden by Donell Blake, the $40,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate has now compiled a career record of 17-6-2-4 with earnings of $134,958. The consistent stakes performer has already captured two stakes wins in 2025, taking the Live Oak Stakes and the Louisiana Downs Lip Chip LLC Stakes.

Completing the trifecta was One Fast Cajun, an accomplished stakes runner by Heza Fast Dash out of the Lion Tamer mare Cajun Rocket, a winning Thoroughbred mare. Trained by Rene Vidana for owners Darrin and Norman Ladner and ridden by Ubaldo Luna, the gelding holds a career record of 32-15-3-4 with earnings of $310,650. Among his seven career stakes victories is the Faubourg St. John Stakes, which he won at Delta Downs in August.

Completing the order of finish were Buckle Up Blue, Easy Jumpn Jet, Blue Castle, and Patriot Mountain.

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